Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Did you know that…..? Making the most of a national treasure
Jude EnglandHead of Social Science Collections and ResearchThe British Library
Working with Archived DataESRC Research Methods Festival7th July 2010
2
Once upon a time…….
‘Publick use to all prosperity’
British Museum Act, 1753
“Extraordinary, mummified late-Victorian world” - Angus Wilson
Top hats in the Round Reading Room as late as 1929
Restricted access and little collaboration
Gatekeepers to Collections
British Library Act, 1972©The British Library Archives
Superintendent, L C Wharton
caricature from The British Library Archives
3
Every Book Published In The UK?
Quasi Legal Deposit from 1662- but Library 1753-
Not always enforced before mid-19th century
1911 Act
Destroyed books in WW2
Not normally require internal reports, examination papers, local transport timetables, appointment diaries, posters, wall and desk calendars
But also so much more…….
4
How Big? What?
150 million items 625 km shelves 12 km p.a. growth
Most known languages Ancient to modern
Newspapers Grey lit Patents Philatelic
Paintings Magazines Official Publications
Wax cylinders Sound India Office Records BIPC Photographs
Oral history e-publications Fanzines
Manuscripts Conferences Websites IGOs
Maps and atlases WeaponsModels
Research reports Books
Music scores Bread books Exhibitions
5
Oral History and National Life Stories
6
The oldest profession or the ladies of the night
Compiled by Richard Cullern, 1993
7
The Web Archive
88
European Parliament Elections 2009
9
Digital Lives……
10
Sport Matters
Research reports, biographies, books, books, books old and new
Archived sport websites
Newspapers, weeklies, Football fanzines
Olympics stamps and artwork
Foreign language material
Market research reports
Oral histories
11
A tour around the site…http://www.bl.uk/sportandsociety/index.html
12
Contact
Jude England (0)20 7412 7670
Alt extn: 7487
Email: [email protected]
Head-Social Science Collections & Research
The British Library
96 Euston Road
London NW1 2DB
Available at www.bl.uk
©British Library Website
